Making sense of a complex topic, Incrementalism and Public Policy is a comprehensive overview of the best-known policy-making models-Lindblom's incrementalism, the Madisonian model, the responsible parties model, group theory, and the privileged position of business in capitalist societies-and a detailed discussion of the possibilities for nonincremental change. Divided into two parts, Part I highlights the major models of policy-making in chapter length assessments, while Part II develops two original typologies that identify the circumstances under which major policy change occurs. This work also systematically presents and analyzes competing theories of incrementalism and nonincrementalism in policy-making and features case studies of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 and the attempts of Presidents Nixon and Carter to enact comprehensive welfare reform legislation. Incrementalism and Public Policy is a useful guide for both undergraduate and graduate students of political science.

The fully revised second edition of this textbook offers a comprehensive introduction to theories of public policy and policymaking. The policy process is complex: it contains hundreds of people and organisations from various levels and types of government, from agencies, quasi- and non-governmental organisations, interest groups and the private and voluntary sectors. This book sets out the major concepts and theories that are vital for making sense of the complexity of public policy, and explores how to combine their insights when seeking to explain the policy process. While a wide range of topics are covered – from multi-level governance and punctuated equilibrium theory to 'Multiple Streams' analysis and feminist institutionalism – this engaging text draws out the common themes among the variety of studies considered and tackles three key questions: what is the story of each theory (or multiple theories); what does policy theory tell us about issues like 'evidence based policymaking'; and how 'universal' are policy theories designed in the Global North? This book is the perfect companion for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying public policy, whether focussed on theory, analysis or the policy process, and it is essential reading for all those on MPP or MPM programmes. New to this Edition: - New sections on power, feminist institutionalism, the institutional analysis and development framework, the narrative policy framework, social construction and policy design - A consideration of policy studies in relation to the Global South in an updated concluding chapter - More coverage of policy formulation and tools, the psychology of policymaking and complexity theory - Engaging discussions of punctuated equilibrium, the advocacy coalition framework and multiple streams analysis

Jeff King argues in favour of constitutionalising social rights, and presents an incrementalist approach to judicial enforcement.

Public policy can be considered a design science. It involves identifying relevant problems, selecting instruments to address the problem, developing institutions for managing the intervention, and creating means of assessing the design. Policy design has become an increasingly challenging task, given the emergence of numerous ‘wicked’ and complex problems. Much of policy design has adopted a technocratic and engineering approach, but there is an emerging literature that builds on a more collaborative and prospective approach to design. This book will discuss these issues in policy design and present alternative approaches to design.